International Women's Day 2024

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year, marking a global day of recognition and celebration of women’s achievements across social, economic, cultural, and political arenas. The day also serves as a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The theme for IWD 2024, “Invest in Women—Accelerate Progress,” underscores the critical role investment in women plays in driving progress in all areas of society.

International Women’s Day 2024 Theme - Invest in Women- Accelerate Progress

This year’s theme of International Women’s Day, “Invest in Women- Accelerate Progress,” strategically focuses on women’s inclusion in all spheres globally. This theme carries multifarious significance, promoting social justice, development, workforce participation, increased innovations, better decision-making, socio-economic equity, social change, and peaceful societies.

• Investing in Women’s Economic Empowerment: Economic empowerment of women is a cornerstone for achieving gender equality and driving economic growth. Investing in women’s education, providing equal opportunities for employment, and supporting women entrepreneurs are essential steps towards this goal. When women are economically empowered, they have more control over their lives and can contribute more significantly to their families and communities.
• Inspiring Inclusion: The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2024, “Inspire Inclusion,” complements the main theme by emphasizing the importance of creating an inclusive world where women from all walks of life are valued and can participate fully. Inclusion means embracing diversity in race, age, ability, faith, body image, and identity. It’s about ensuring that women’s voices are heard and their perspectives are considered in all areas of life.
• The Role of Education: Education is a powerful tool for investing in women. It not only equips women with knowledge and skills but also boosts their confidence and ability to make informed decisions. Quality education for girls leads to higher wages, better job opportunities, and economic independence.
• Healthcare as an Investment: Investing in women’s health is crucial for their well-being and the well-being of societies. Access to quality healthcare, including reproductive health services, enables women to lead healthier, more productive lives.
• Leadership and Decision-Making: Encouraging women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles is vital for reflecting a diverse range of views in policy-making. Women leaders bring different experiences and insights, which can lead to more effective and equitable governance.

India has shown notable advancement, moving up from the 135th position in the 2022 WEF Gender Gap Report to the 127th position in its 2023 edition, signifying an enhanced ranking.

Key Facts About International Women’s Day

• Date: March 8
• Origin: Gained momentum after the Labour Movement in the early 20th century to raise voice for women’s rights.
• Objective: To celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about gender equality, and highlight persisting challenges faced by women.
• Theme: Each year, a different theme is chosen to address a specific aspect of gender equality.

History of International Women’s Day

Originating in the early 1900s, the history of International Women’s Day unfolds as it transforms from a singular protest day into a century-long global movement advocating for gender equality.

Initiation:

• 1908: Women laborers' oppression and gender inequality led to around 15,000 women marching through New York City, demanding improved working conditions, better wages, and voting rights.
• 1909: The Socialist Party of America organized the first National Woman’s Day (NWD) in the United States on February 28, 1909. This continued annually until 1913.

Evolution:

• 1910: The Second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen proposed the idea of establishing an International Women’s Day, later celebrated for the first time on March 19, 1911.
• 1913: The Peace Campaign organized by Russian women led to officially declaring March 8 as International Women’s Day.

Recognition and Expansion:

• 1975: International Women’s Day was officially recognised by the UN.
• 1996: The UN adopted an official theme for IWD for the first time, continuing this tradition annually.
• 2015: The UN adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with SDG 5 specifically focusing on achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Present: International Women’s Day has become a prominent global platform to honor and celebrate the achievements of women worldwide.

Objectives of International Women’s Day Celebrations

• Celebrate the achievements of women worldwide.
• Raise awareness about women’s rights and gender equality.
• Accelerate concrete efforts toward achieving gender parity.
• Inspire individuals, communities, and nations toward gender equality and women’s rights.
• Foster a sense of solidarity and unity among women globally.

Colors of International Women’s Day

As per its official website, Purple, Green, and White are the colors of IWD, representing Justice and Dignity, Hope, and Purity, respectively. Originally adopted by the Women’s Social and Political Union in the UK, these colors have become integral to IWD celebrations worldwide.

Significance of International Women’s Day Celebrations

In the era of movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp, celebrating this special day for women holds significance as:

• It honors women’s contributions and acknowledges their indispensable role in shaping the world.
• It reflects and affirms the world’s ongoing journey toward women’s empowerment and gender equality.
• It raises awareness against gender bias and works toward eliminating it.
• Facilitates discussions and actions to address challenges hindering women’s progress globally.
• Inspires women and girls worldwide to reach their full potential by showcasing success stories.
• Fosters a feeling of worldwide unity among women from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

As we observe International Women’s Day 2024, let us reflect on the progress made and the journey ahead. It is a day to inspire inclusion, celebrate achievements, and renew our commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential, free from bias and barriers.

The theme “Invest in Women—Accelerate Progress” for International Women’s Day 2024 is a powerful reminder that the world’s advancement is intrinsically linked to the progress of women. By investing in women, we are not only supporting half of the population but are also fostering a more just, inclusive, and prosperous world for everyone.

Also Read:

• Women Organizations in India
• National Commission for Women
• Role of Women In Indian Freedom Struggle
• Women Reservation Bill